#Article (Archive)

Advice to farmers

Jun 3, 2013, 11:33 AM

As the country braces up for yet another farming season with first rains being reported in most parts of the country, we wish to give a piece of advice to the farming community.

Farming is all about early preparation. And as such, we urge farmers to start clearing their farms if they have not done so in earnest.

Early clearing of farms and sowing of seeds are key to ensuring high quality yields. Farmers must also ensure that they sow quality seeds.

Diversifying agriculture is also something essential, especially with climate change impacting on production, hence no one can predict the rainfall.

Our farmers must endeavour to cultivate as many crop varieties as possible to mitigate the impacts of climate change on framing.

It is also essential that farmers look into cultivating early maturing crops since we cannot predict rainfall.

Farmers across the country have been clamouring for support to help them increase agricultural productivity in our quest to attain food self-sufficiency.

Even though we have seen increase in the scope of intervention by the government and development partners in recent times, it is not enough when it comes to increased food sufficiency.

Our farmers, irrespective of their political affiliations, need support of all forms, such as tractors, machines, affordable fertilisers, and extension services.

Finally, we wish all farmers a successful farming season and emphasise the need for more investment in the sector.